•Sometimes we speak of something being “above average”- or perhaps “below average”. Ever really thought about what this means?•If we take the most exceptionally “good” and the most exceptionally “bad,” then the average is right in the middle.•We’re usually pretty well satisfied with “average”.

We don’t want to be the “worst” at anything; that would be embarrassing.But neither do we want to put forth the effort it takes to be “exceptional” either!

•So, we do enough to be neither the worst or the best, and are satisfied with “average”.•Such mediocrity might suffice in some areas, but what about being just

Obviously, this is not scientific- no polls involved, but it seems the average Christian:>attends at least one service a week, mostly on

time, usually not for bible class, and mildly enjoys it if it doesn’t go over.

>is friendly with other attendees who greet him, but usually doesn’t greet visitors himself.

>can find the various books of the Bible and knows the general overall story of it; knows he needs to study more, but is too busy to study “on his own”.

>Will participate in the worship service if asked, but is unwilling to do any advanced preparation; and never leads in any proactive way.

Also, the average Christian:>will follow current fashion trends and will dress

equal to, or slightly more modestly than, a person with no religious affiliations or aspirations.

>will do most all of the same things for recreation that worldly people do, but will not be “drunk” while doing them.

>will spend more time socially with non-Christians than with Christians.

>will watch the same movies (or attend other forms of entertainment) as other people do, but will say that it would have been better without the sex scene, violence, and bad language.

Finally, the average Christian:>will not usually change the channel on the TV if

questionable material is being shown, but will say such does not affect his spirituality since he’s “gotten used to it.”

>will spend less than two hours per week of non-worship time working for the local church.

>will probably see his children baptized, but they will likely not remain faithful as adults- and he’ll wonder what happened.

>will not be actively involved in the conversion of a single other person to Christ, with the possible exception of a family member (spouse, children).

>thinks of himself as a “Christian” who is pleasing to God.

Consider how God viewed “average” people of the world in days of Noah, Gen.6:1-2, 5-13,17; 7:17-24.>Question: How many righteous people were saved in

the ark?>Question: How many “average” people died outside it?

Estimates range from 3 to 137 billion! Even at the conservative estimate of 3 billion, only 8 were saved.

You tell me, were the saved “average” people?

Consider also how God viewed/treated “average” Israelites, Num.1:44-46.>Question: Of the 603,550 “average” men of

Israel who were about 20 years of age, how many were allowed to enter the promised land of Canaan? cf. Num.13:25 – 14:30.

>Question: So, 603,548 were not allowed in and two were allowed to enter?

You tell me, were the 603,548 or the 2 “average”

people?

“But those are Old Testament examples, the New Testament has grace and forgiveness!” >Yes it does! Heb.7:18-19; 9:11-14; 10:10-18 >So then, how does God view the “average” of the

New Testament? >Matt.7:13-14 “But that’s ‘average’ people of the

world- not Christians.”>Rev.3:15-16 Here’s your “average” Christians!

“Average” people of the world will be lost.

So will “Christians” who are satisfied with “average”!

We may be satisfied with being “average” Christians, but there is absolutely no

indication that God is! Matt.25:24-30